Newsletter Nov 24, 2023

Quick Six

Israel prepares to embrace traumatized hostages
Israeli soldiers are being carefully prepared to receive potentially deeply traumatized women and child hostages seized by Palestinian militants. From a manual for trauma care to medical support, even the first words the soldiers escorting them home will say have been carefully scripted, with experts warning many could face a long road to recovery. During a four-day truce agreed by Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers, 50 of the roughly 240 hostages held by the militants are set to be freed in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners.
HOSTAGES SET TO BE HANDED TO ISRAEL AFTER 7 WEEKS

Turkey delivers another major interest rate hike
Turkey's central bank on Thursday surprised the market with a larger-than-expected interest hike as it ramped up its fight against inflation and efforts to support the slumping lira. The bank lifted its policy rate by 5.0 percentage points to 40 percent on the sixth month of a belt-tightening cycle that has more than quadrupled borrowing costs. Most analysts had expected the bank to raise its rate by 2.5 percentage points.
RATE INCREASE IN TURKEY SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS

Clashes in Dublin after rumors of injured children
Protesters in Dublin on Thursday torched a car and fought police, an AFP journalist reported, after three children were injured in a suspected school stabbing that social media rumors attributed to a foreign national. A five-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and four other people, including two children, were taken to hospital after the incident at a city centre primary school, which occurred shortly after 1:30 pm (1330 GMT). Hundreds of people took to the streets after rumors circulated of the attacker's nationality, some fighting with police and attacking vehicles, according to the AFP journalist.
PROTEST IN IRELAND AFTER SUSPECT SCHOOL STABBING

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Markets

DJIA	35,273.03	0.53%
S&P 500	4,556.62	0.41%
Nasdaq Composite	14,265.86	0.46%
Japan: Nikkei 225	33,805.82	1.06%
UK: FTSE 100	7,483.58	0.19%
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Euro	1.09	-0.06%
* As of market close

Ecuador's new president takes office

Ecuador's new president, the 35-year-old millionaire heir to a business empire, Daniel Noboa, took office Thursday as the leader of a country gripped by a bloody drug war. "The task is hard and difficult and the days are few. Let's get to work," said Noboa after being sworn-in during a ceremony attended by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and other foreign representatives. Noboa, who was elected in October vowing to restore peace to his country, takes over from Guillermo Lasso, who called snap elections to avoid possible impeachment.

NOBOA TAKES OFFICE AS ECUADOR'S YOUNGEST PRESIDENT

Oil firms face 'moment of truth,' IEA says

Oil and gas firms will face a crucial choice at UN climate talks next week between contributing to the climate crisis or embracing the clean energy transition, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. The future of fossil fuels that play a massive role in climate change will be at the heart of COP28 negotiations in Dubai, as the world struggles to meet the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In a report, the Paris-based energy watchdog said the industry's engagement has been "minimal" so far, accounting for less than one percent of global clean energy investment.

IEA SEES MASSIVE ROLE OF OIL INDUSTRY IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Venice to launch tourist tickets in 2024

Venice would introduce a fee for day tourists to enter the city's overcrowded historic centre on 29 days next year as it seeks to come to grips with overtourism. Day visitors will need to pay five euros ($5.45) to enter the city centre between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm during the peak tourist season from April 25 to May 5. The fee will also apply for the rest of the weekends in May and June, as well as the first two weekends of July.

TOURIST WILL HAVE TO PAY TO ENTER VENICE NEXT YEAR

Extra point

What does the name "Venice" mean?

Wednesday's answer: Six people have over 100 million followers on X -- Elon Musk (151m), Barack Obama (132m), Justin Biber (111m), Cristiano Ronaldo (110m), Rihanna (108m) and Katy Perry (107m).

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